Basella (Sturtevant, 1919)
| Basella (Sturtevant, 1919) |
Basella rubra Linn.
Chenopodiaceae. MALABAR NIGHTSHADE.
Accepted name : Basella alba
Tropical regions. This twining, herbaceous plant is cultivated in all parts of India, and the succulent stems and leaves are used by the natives as a pot-herb in the way of spinach[1]. In Burma, the species is cultivated and in the Philippines is seemingly wild and eaten by the natives[2]. It is also cultivated in the Mauritius[3] and in every part of India[4], where it occurs wild[5]. Malabar nightshade was introduced to Europe in 1688[6] and was grown in England in 1691[7], but these references can hardly apply to the vegetable garden. It is, however, recorded in French gardens in 1824 and 1829[8]. It is grown in France as a vegetable[9], a superior variety having been introduced from China in 1839[10]. According to Livingstone, it is cultivated as a pot-herb in India. It is a spinach plant which has somewhat the odor of Ocimum basilicum[11]. The species is cultivated in almost every part of India as a spinach, and an infusion of the leaves in used as tea[12]. It is called Malabar nightshade by Europeans of India[13].
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- ↑ Firminger, T.A.C., Gard. Ind. 145. 1874.
- ↑ Pickering, C. Chron. Hist. Pls. 696. 1879.
- ↑ Bojer Hort. Maurit. 270. 1837.
- ↑ Drury, H. Useful Pls. Ind. 66. 1858.
- ↑ Wight, R. Icon. Pls. 896. 1843.
- ↑ Noisette Man. jard. 559. 1860.
- ↑ Martyn Miller's Gard. Dict. 1807.
- ↑ Pirolle L'Hort Franc. 1824.
- ↑ Bon Jard. 432. 1882.
- ↑ Drury, H. Useful Pls. Ind. 66. 1858.
- ↑ Mueller, F. Sel. Pls. 66. 1891.
- ↑ Drury, H. Useful Pls. Ind. 66. 1858.
- ↑ Ibid.
